The intent
of this section is to give you an overview of the structure and philosophy of the traditional motorcycle club (MC). This does
not necessarily express the feelings or priorities of any particular club, as all motorcycle clubs differ on some points.
Regardless of the basic philosophy of this group, it is important that you understand the perspectives of other clubs that
you may be associating with from time to time.

If
motorcycles influence your lifestyle, then you are part of the motorcycle community. Of all the types of organizations found
within that community, the traditional motorcycle club stands apart and ranks highest in stature.

Respect

A serious MC club commands respect for one reason. Those who are correctly
informed recognize the deep level of personal commitment and self discipline that a man has to demonstrate and sustain in
order to wear a patch. They realize that a club's "Colors" are closely guarded and the membership process is
long and difficult. Other factors notwithstanding, they respect Patchholders for what they have accomplished by being able
to earn and keep the patch they wear. This is respect born out of recognition of dedication and accomplishment. The MC Club
strives for respect for this reason. This is especially true as it pertains to those persons outside of the motorcycle community.
This segment of society is by far the larger, and therefore represents a larger market for any fund raising activities that
the group might undertake. It stands to reason that cultivating a relationship with these people is important, and to be perceived
by them as "Biker Scum" would not be advantageous to the group. They will therefore conduct themselves as upstanding
citizens in every way... "Good neighbors" so to speak. The goal is to be admired and respected by the general public
rather than feared. The serious club, and all of its members and guests, will always conduct themselves publicly in a highly
professional manner.

Club
Colors

The general public does not
draw a distinction between different club colors. In many cases, they simply can't tell the difference: we're all
"Biker Scum" to them. If one club causes a problem that touches the public sector, the offending club's identity
is either confused or ignored and the heat comes down on all clubs. The general public does not make the distinction between
a MC and an RC (Riding Club), therefore EVERYONE needs to be aware that no matter whether they are in an MC and RC or an Independent
rider, their actions reflect on all in the motorcycle community. The MC clubs tend to police themselves to avoid such
incidents.

Participation

A Patchholder will not discuss any club business whether it's about
membership numbers, club goings on, or any member's personal information with anyone outside of the club. They understand
that they are a Patchholder 24 hours a day whether or not they are wearing their colors. Everything they say or do in public
can affect the club. They also understand that if they get out of line, that they are subject to be counseled for their own
good and for that of the club. Wearing a patch is more than getting together for good times. It also means getting together
for the other times, too. It constitutes a lot of work. It's committing themselves to a lifestyle in which they do not
look for how their brothers or sisters can help them, but for ways that they can be of help to their brothers and sisters.
They always look to give rather than to receive. All of this may seem very idealistic, and in some cases it's just that.
But it is an ideal that all clubs profess and are always striving for in principle and practice.

Always be aware of the "Golden Rule" of conduct while traveling
in club circles: If you give respect, you'll get respect. If you act with disrespect, then you'll be treated with
the same.

Levels
of Commitment

When someone earns their
patch, it does not mean that he or she has reached the ultimate goal and from that point they can kick back and coast. Moving
from guest to probation to Patchholder is not climbing from the bottom to the top, but rather more like climbing a constantly
ascending slope, and in time becoming a stronger and more committed brother or sister. A person's probationary rocker
and later their patch are merely presented in recognition of what they have demonstrated along the way. In this fashion, the
more senior the Patchholder is in the club and the more they experience, the more of a brother or sister they should be to
all.

Purpose
of Probation / Prospecting

Probation
is not an initiation, as you would find in a fraternity. It is instead a period of time that is sustained until the person,
in every sense, conducts themselves with the respect that is mandated to be a Patchholder. It's a time in which:

The attitude is conditioned so that he/she displays a sense of responsibility
and respect toward the patch holders of the club, without which they will not develop a sense of respect for the group.

He/she is educated in basic MC protocol and etiquette.

He/she is given time to develop the habits that are basic to good security
and good communications.

To get into the habit
of participating.

To become accustomed to
trusting the judgment, at times blindly, of those patch holders who will someday be his or her brothers and sisters.

The list could go on but the point here is to demonstrate that probationary
period has definite objectives and that a person will go nowhere in the club if he/she is not aware of this and does not apply
themselves to those ends. It's not possible to make a checklist of what is expected from a person in all cases. There
isn't any formula for success, but the key is ATTITUDE AND RESPECT. Everything else can be learned in time, but a person's
attitude comes from the heart.